Hey, Florida, a coronavirus question: What the hell is wrong with you?

Updated Mar 21, 2020; Posted Mar 21, 2020

Two men wrestle each other as spring break revelers look on during a contest on the beach, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Pompano Beach, Fla. As a response to the coronavirus pandemic, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all bars be shut down for 30 days beginning at 5 p.m. and many Florida beaches are turning away spring break crowds urging them to engage in social distancing. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) APAP

As I drove home Friday night to New Jersey from Tampa, where I have been covering the Yankees’ abridged spring training, it became obvious: As the rest of the nation fights a no-end-in-sight battle against the deadly coronavirus, which threatens our lives and economy, Floridians have been ignoring the smoke from the fire burning around them.

And we’ll all deal with the consequences.

Although Gov. Ron DeSantis finally shut down restaurants with an executive order on Friday, it’s probably too little, too late, based on what I’ve seen. As health experts and scientists were preaching that social distancing and self-quarantining can stop the spread and save lives, on Thursday night I drove past a Chili’s restaurant bursting with customers.

How many people got infected that night at jammed restaurants around the state?

“If I get corona, I get corona," one knucklehead told CBS. "At the end of the day, I’m not going to let it stop me from partying. ... We’re just down here having a good time. Whatever happens, happens.”

In Florida, whatever happens likely will happen to the part of the population most vulnerable to the virus. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 20 percent of the state’s 21.5 million residents are over 65, which means a tsunami of tragedy is likely rolling toward the shores.

DeSantis has refused to close the beaches, leaving that decision to the towns -- which means whatever beaches remain open will be coronavirus breeding grounds.

How many more will become infected because Florida procrastinates?

As New York, New Jersey and California take steps toward containment that were once unthinkable, shutting down all non-essential businesses and possibly crippling their economies to save lives, Florida lags behind.

I pulled off to use a restroom at the Florida Citrus Center in Wildwood, where Josh, an assistant manager, said he didn’t fear the virus, which — as of Friday — had killed more than 237 Americans and infected more than 18,000 in the U.S. As those numbers multiply daily, he added that he didn’t worry about potentially transmitting it to others.

The coronavirus, he said, was being greeted like it was another forecasted hurricane -- a threat that would pass ... if it materialized at all. Besides, he hadn’t really been keeping up on the latest developments anyway.

“I don’t read the news,” he said. “The Bible’s the only news I need.”

At the Waffle House across the street, patrons were being limited to 20 at a time and every other seat had been blocked off. But the place was still open for business. Customers had to ask for items that usually would be within reach, like syrup and jelly. Kenneth Betancourt, a cashier originally from South Carolina, wasn’t hopeful the state would wise up.

When it comes to coronavirus, “Floridians don’t care,” he said.

A few miles down the highway in Ocala, a PDQ restaurant was open with limited seating. Inside, employee Gabe Stiffler said he thought that while the reaction to the virus was overblown, it was good to try to minimize risk. He likened the virus to past plagues: While many could die, the world always bounces back, he said.

Thankfully, hours after I left, the governor’s executive order shut down all restaurant seating and limited food establishments to takeout and delivery. But how many have been needlessly threatened or infected because DeSantis dawdled?

At Norman’s Roadside Market, a fruits and vegetables stand a half-hour outside Jacksonville, a woman shucked corn behind a counter. She didn’t know why everyone was getting worked up.

And she especially didn’t like that churches were closing their doors.